Love Will Find a Way (23 page)

"I never told anyone.” Emily touched her mouth with her fingers. “It was too special."

"And we have so many special moments to remember. You and I belong together. Don't let my momentary lapse of good sense destroy what it's taken us a lifetime to build."

It may have been a momentary lapse for Robert, for Emily it had been a life-altering trauma. “It's already destroyed and I'm not sure we can ever repair it."

"Don't say that!” Without quite knowing how it happened, Emily found herself in Robert's arms, felt the wild beating of his heart against hers and heard his soft voice whisper into her ear. “I won't hurt you again, Emily, I swear I won't."

She closed her eyes and surrendered to the sweetness of his seductive kiss.

The silence in the room was shattered by the slamming of the front door and Kevin's voice calling, “Mom? Where are you?"

Emily pulled herself from Robert's embrace. She was smoothing her hair and straightening her blouse when Kevin and Stacy came into the room, followed by Amy, Kim, and Boo. “Good heavens, Kevin,” she scolded, “Don't you know how to knock on a door?"

"I did knock.” Kevin was obviously assessing the scene before him. “I banged and no one answered. I thought you must be asleep.” His gaze shifted to Robert. “Hi, Dad, I didn't know you were here."

"And how did you think my car got in the drive?” Robert asked caustically.

For once Kevin didn't pick up on Robert's angry retort. “I'm not my usual sharp self today.” He smiled down at Stacy, his face alight with adoration. “Stacy and I have something to tell you."

Boo bounded across the room and put his paws in Emily's lap. She stroked his head. “Would you like to sit down?"

Kim asked from the doorway. “Is it okay if Amy and I take Boo outside to play?"

"Would you please?” Emily gave Boo a final pat as she said, “There are some doggie treats on the shelf in the utility room."

Kim whistled for Boo. He scampered across the room, his claws making screeching sounds across the hardwood floor as he ran. “See you later,” Kim called, as she and Amy ushered Boo from the room.

As the commotion created by their departure died away, Emily asked again, “Would you like to sit down?"

Kevin sat down in the overstuffed chair and Stacy perched on the arm beside him. “Guess what?” Kevin took Stacy's hand in his. “Stacy and I have set the date. We're going to be married in the church sanctuary the third Sunday in June. Dennis is going to perform the ceremony."

Stacy put her free arm around Kevin's shoulder and beamed. “Kim and Amy are going to be my bride's maids—"

Kevin interrupted, excitement spilling out into his every word. “There will be a reception in the church recreation hall after the ceremony."

"And are we invited?” Emily stole a glance in Robert's direction. He was sitting very straight and very still, his expression as unreadable as a closed book.

Kevin's eyes cut in Robert's direction, “Only if you want to come."

Emily saw Dennis's fine hand in Kevin's rather awkward move toward reconciliation and she was grateful to him. “Well, I certainly do."

Apparently taken aback by Kevin's sudden about face, Robert asked, “Are you inviting me to your wedding?"

Kevin shot back, “Do you want an engraved invitation?"

"If you're sending them out, that would be nice.” Robert's face creased into a droll smile.

"We will have invitations printed soon.” Stacy's fingers dug into Kevin's shoulders. “We'll see that you get one.” She gave Kevin another warning pinch. “Won't we, Kevin?"

Emily sent Robert what she hoped was a warning glance. “When did you decide all this?"

"Just today.” The tension in the room began to ease as Stacy explained, “Kevin and I have wanted to set the date for months, but Dad kept insisting I was too young to make a permanent commitment. Now he's changed his mind."

Emily couldn't believe that Dennis had done such an abrupt and complete turn around. “Dennis has agreed to your getting married?"

Kevin laughed. “Maybe the age of miracles hasn't passed after all."

Stacy bubbled with excitement. “Out of the blue, he agreed. Oh, there's so much to do and such a short time to do it in. You will help me, won't you, Emily?"

"Of course, I will,” Emily answered. Finding herself caught up in the excitement of the moment, she asked, “Will it be a large wedding?"

"Not really,” Stacy answered, “Just family and friends."

Robert glanced at his watch. “I have to go. Mom and Dad are expecting me.” He stood before asking Emily, “Are you sure you don't want to come with me?"

"We can talk about the wedding later,” Kevin offered, “If you have other plans."

"No. Stay.” Emily put her hand on Robert's arm. “I'll see you to the door.” She detoured through the dining room to retrieve Robert's hat before following him onto the front porch and closing the front door behind her. “I'm sorry we were interrupted."

"We can pick up where we left off later, I hope.” Robert put his hat on his head and gave it a little tap. “Have you been talking to Kevin?"

Emily shook her head. “No. But someone has, apparently."

"The Reverend?” Robert questioned.

Emily pursed her lips. “Maybe."

"And maybe I shouldn't question my sudden good fortune."

"But you do?” Emily wondered why he would.

Robert asked, “Will you have lunch with me one day this week?"

Emily smiled. “I'd like that.” She opened the door and went inside, then closed it behind her.

Chapter 11

The next several weeks passed in a smooth stream of activity. Lee Morgan hired an assistant to help Emily with the tedious paperwork involved in her job. “Anyone can write reports,” he told her, as he flashed his most winning smile. “We don't want to lose you, therefore the new assistant and the raise."

Little by little Emily's new house became her new home. She was beginning her second year as a divorced woman. Looking back over the wide chasm of days and doubts that separated the present from the past, she realized just how much she had changed. It had been a slow and subtle process and one of degree more than kind. How imperceptible were the alterations of time.

She met Robert for lunch each Wednesday, but she steadfastly refused to go out with him, either to visit George and Clara, or on anything that vaguely resembled a date.

True to his word, Robert hadn't pressured her to change her mind, but more and more she sensed his impatience.

Plans for Kevin and Stacy's wedding consumed much of Emily's spare time. As she helped Stacy make plans for the big event, she felt herself being pulled more and more into the Morrison family circle. Still, she was careful to keep a discreet emotional distance. Was it caution or cowardice that warned her against becoming too intimately involved with Kevin's soon-to-be in-laws?

One Saturday morning only weeks before the wedding, Stacy called and invited Emily to join the Morrison family for a picnic in the country. “Dad thinks we all need to relax and unwind."

Emily was pleased that she was included. “Tell me where and when."

"It's a private picnic area that belongs to one of our church members,” Stacy explained and then added, “Kevin and I are going out early this morning. You can ride out with Dad and the twins later."

The outing was pleasant but it lasted much longer than Emily had imagined. It was almost nine o'clock in the evening when Dennis pulled his station wagon into her driveway. “I'll walk you to the door."

"That's not necessary.” Emily got out and shut the door. “I'll see all of you tomorrow and thank you for a lovely time."

As the car pulled from the drive, Amy poked her head out the back window. “We'll come for Boo early in the morning."

Emily hummed under her breath as she rummaged in her bag for her door key. She had put the key in the lock when a voice from the shadows said, “I've been waiting for you since six-thirty.” Emily narrowed her eyes against the darkness. “Robert? Is that you?"

He emerged from the shadows. “It's me. I called Kevin on his cell phone about seven. He told me you'd be here soon.” The dim light from the street lamp cast eerie shadows across his face. “You have hay in your hair."

Emily unlocked the door. “Actually, it's grass. I wasn't expecting you."

Robert followed her into the house. “I wasn't expecting to be here either. But this is an emergency."

"George?” Emily hit the switch on the wall, flooding the room with light.

Stubble of beard grew on Robert's face. “No, it's Aunt Beth. She's had a stroke. She's asking for you."

Emily dropped her keys into her handbag, “Which hospital?"

"She's at Southwest General.” Robert's eyes scanned Emily's face. “Your nose is sunburned."

"I'll be there as soon as I can.” Emily rubbed her fingers across the rough surface of her nose. “I have to see to Boo first."

"Go change,” Robert told her. “I'll look after Boo. Then I'll drive you to the hospital."

"And how am I supposed to get back home?” A dull ache had begun in Emily's shoulders. She rubbed her hands across the back of her neck. It was sunburned and beginning to feel stiff.

"This is Saturday night,” Robert reminded her. “The area around the hospital is jammed with teenagers. They will be drag racing down Military Drive most of the night. It's not safe for you to go into that area alone.

Emily took a hasty shower and was dressed and ready to go in twenty minutes. When she came back into the living room, Robert was leaning against the door holding her handbag. “Ready?” He held the bag out to her.

Emily nodded. “Yes.” She hung her bag over her shoulder and followed him outside. Once in the darkened drive, she squinted and looked around. “Where's your car?"

"This way.” He took her arm and hurried toward the street.

As they walked down the sidewalk toward Robert's car, Emily asked, “Why did you park out here?” She was almost running to stay up with his long strides.

"Because I thought you might be with Dennis Morrison. If he had seen my car he would have found some reason to stay.” Robert quickened his pace.

It was after eleven by the time Robert stopped his car in the parking lot of the hospital. As they hurried through the emergency entrance, he took Emily's arm. “I wouldn't have insisted that you come here at this hour of the night if Aunt Beth hadn't been asking for you.” He guided her toward the elevators. “She's in intensive care. That's on the fourth floor."

The hospital corridors were deserted except for an occasional nurse and a few night custodians. They got into the elevator and Robert jabbed his finger into the button labeled four. With a jolt the cage began to climb upward.

Emily leaned against a side rail and watched the numbers over the door flash as they zoomed upward. Thoughts and memories of Aunt Beth crowded all other concerns from her mind. Aunt Beth had missed so many of the joys of life. Emily thought with a touch of irony that maybe she had missed a good portion of the heartaches, too.

The elevator coming to a sudden stop brought Emily back to the present with a jolt. As the doors clanged open, she drew a deep breath and tried to prepare herself for what lay ahead, “Which way?"

Robert's hand was on her elbow, “Down the hall and to the right."

They entered a small waiting room. George and Clara were huddled on a couch in the corner. They both jumped to their feet when Emily and Robert came into the room. George patted Emily's shoulder. “Mamma and I had just about decided you weren't coming."

"I was out with Kevin when Robert came.” Why did Emily feel it necessary to say she was with Kevin and carefully skirt the fact that she had been with the Morrisons, too? “Robert waited for me and I'm glad he did.” She urged George to sit down. “Try to get some rest. I'm going in to see Aunt Beth."

Clara settled on the cushion beside George. “But you can't now. Aunt Beth is asleep. About an hour after Robert left she took a turn for the better. The doctor was amazed. Dad and I would have gone home hours ago except we thought we should wait for you and Robert."

Emily perched on the edge of an overstuffed chair and breathed a sigh of relief. “Aunt Beth's recovery is certainly good news."

George said, “It's not a recovery, just a reprieve. But the doctor says we can see her tomorrow afternoon at regular visiting hours.” With an effort, he stood to his feet. “Can you come back then Emily?"

Clara consulted her watch. “Except tomorrow's today now. It's five minutes past twelve."

"I'll be here this afternoon, Emily said.” Now Robert would be stuck with driving her all the way back to Northern Heights.

George and Clara had disappeared down the wide corridor and still Robert sat on the edge of the low couch. “It's very quiet here."

Emily stirred to her feet. “I'm sorry to put you to the trouble of driving me all the way back to Northern Heights."

Robert reflected ironically, “By the time I get back to my apartment it will be time to get up."

Emily said, “If you'd like you can take me home and stay at my house for the rest of the night.” The surprised look that flitted across his face made her add, “You can sleep in the spare bedroom."

"Would you agree to spend even a part of a night under the same roof with me?” There was a bitter edge to his question.

"I don't know why not."

"Then I have a better idea.” Robert pulled himself to a standing position. “We can go to my apartment. It's only ten minutes away. I'll sleep on the couch. You can have my bed.” He took her arm. “I may not be as charming and sophisticated as the suave Reverend Morrison, but I'll try not to be too much of a bore."

Emily snatched her arm away. “And I may not be as exciting and interesting as your experienced mistress, but maybe we can muddle through until morning."

Robert grabbed her arm again and pulled her around to face him. “Is that what this is all about, revenge? Is that why you're so determined to rub my nose in your affair with Morrison?"

He had no right to jump to such damning conclusions. “Instead of making nasty remarks about Dennis, you should thank him. He was the one who convinced Kevin that he should forgive you."